AvaTrade
merrill edge
BrokerDataNet earns affiliate commission from brokers listed on this site. This does not affect our ratings or editorial independence.
Overview
AvaTrade was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in The British Virgin Islands, while merrill edge was established in 2010 and is based in USA. AvaTrade holds licences including Central Bank of Ireland, while merrill edge is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. AvaTrade serves 200,000+ clients worldwide; merrill edge has 10,000+. Both brokers share the same minimum deposit of $250.
| Feature | AvaTrade | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $250 | $250 |
| Regulation | Central Bank of Ireland, Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Financial Services Authority (FSA), Financial Stability Board (FSB), British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVI) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Pepperstone Markets Limited is incorporated in The Bahamas (number 177174 B), Licensed by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) number SIA-F277 |
| Founded | 2006 | 2010 |
| Country | The British Virgin Islands | USA |
| Clients | 200,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between AvaTrade and merrill edge, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Both require a minimum deposit of $250. Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. The two brokers are broadly comparable on fee structure.
| Feature | AvaTrade | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $250 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
AvaTrade offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while merrill edge supports MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. AvaTrade edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | AvaTrade | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | No |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, Mac, Mirror Trader, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how AvaTrade and merrill edge compare. Both provide video tutorials. Both integrate third-party research tools. The two brokers are evenly matched on educational content.
| Feature | AvaTrade | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | No | No |
| Weekly Webinars | No | No |
| Daily Commentary | No | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. AvaTrade accepts 4 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Neteller), while merrill edge supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). merrill edge uniquely supports Skrill among the two brokers. merrill edge scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | AvaTrade | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill | No | Yes |
| Neteller | Yes | Yes |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both AvaTrade and merrill edge offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. AvaTrade supports 6 languages and merrill edge supports 8, giving merrill edge broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | AvaTrade | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, Italian, German, French, Greek, and Hebrew | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |